According to Greek legend, the first partridge appeared when Daedalus threw his nephew, Perdix, off the sacred hill of Athena in a fit of jealous rage. Supposedly mindful of his fall, the bird does not build its nest in the trees, nor take lofty flights and avoids high places.[1]

Partridges appear as part of the first gift listed in the Christmas carol, "The Twelve Days of Christmas".[2] As such, "A partridge in a pear tree" is sung as the last line of each verse.